Hi all,
Could someone put together a step-by-step guide for using a non-Windows PC (or the best alternative)? I’m trying to compare Google (ChromeOS), Apple (macOS), Linux, etc.
Thank you!
Linux is the best answer because the others you mention are no better than Microsoft.
When it comes to Linux, despite what others may say, IMO, Fedora KDE Plasma is the best experience for a new person coming from Windows. It has the closest equivalent to a Windows UI and still has all the benefits of Linux.
And it doesn’t use those gawd awful snap packs, and generally uses flatpacks by default which are the best option (for privacy and security flatpacks and appimages are best).
Suggest you go research Fedora KDE Plasma and a couple of other distros (there are plenty of detailed forums and other sites for each major Linux distro) and download a bootable ISO so you can try it out…
Note Fedora KDE Plasma is often considered cutting edge and supposedly not the best for absolute beginners because it has constant weekly updates unlike other distros that have them much less frequently - but that’s nonsensical IMO (as a reason); its easily the easiest to transition to (and I had the least issues with it of all the distros I tried, especially for networking and printing and such like - virtually everything worked first time out of the box).
Remember you can always easily change to a different ‘distro’ later too, once you have used Linux for a bit and got familiar with it, so there is no wrong choice…
FYI I tried ~8 different distros when I changed, incl. all the main ones like Mint, Ubuntu, Debian, Pop_OS! (both new and old), Zorin, Manjaro, Arch, etc, over a 3 month period, before I changed. And FWIW I came from a 80% Windows 20% macOS background. I’ve now been using Fedora KDE as my daily driver for 8 months. So to get you started that will give you the best experience and smoothest transition I’m certain (if you are primarily from a Windows UX background)…
P.S. My second choice would be Pop_OS! COSMIC Desktop, but this is new and still in alpha/beta status, so not ideal as a starting system. It’s"s also a lot less ‘windows-like’.
P.P.S. Arch Linux is also great IMO, but long-term, and if you like maximum flexibility - but stay clear of it as a newbie unless you are an advanced techie person to start with (e.g. programmer)… I’m just starting to build a dual boot Arch Linux install on my PC now and I consider myself an experienced intermediate level techie (and had benefit of some basic Linux experience from 25 years ago, in addition to the recent 11 months use), so I didn’t even try to do it to use as my first daily driver. Like all linux options it has it’s pros and cons.
Hi and welcome to the community!
I too suggest Linux, but you are going to find a hundred opinions on what is the best distro to use. All are valid opinions, as it suits their taste and way of operating, but that depends upon you. That is why so many suggest you take the time to make “live boot” USB thumb drives of potential distros you wish to try and run them to be sure they suit your needs. Yes, the live drives will be slower than the hard drive install, but it does give you the chance to decide if you like the system before making the “real” installation. It takes a bit of effort and research, but in the end it can save you from having to change distributions after storing daily data that has to be migrated along with the new install.
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Absolutely right @Igor_Shotsky and anyone looking should definitely try at least 2-3 different distros (if not more) that way, before making any commitment - because as you say everyone has different tastes or preferences. And as you say will save a lot more time and effort in the long-run. And as I said above worst case you can relatively easily change later if you really need to - if your needs change (or your skill level and willingness to do more complex builds).
As an aside I like using Ventoy (over Rufus or Balena Etcher) for the bootable USB Stick - so I can add multiple distro ISOs to one USB device making trying different ones quicker and easier… but all are good choices for the bootable USB task obviously.
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IMO Ventoy is the way to go. I also agree with trying multiple distros to find what fits your needs best. Enjoy the journey…
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@Mycenius I did not know about the multiple distros on one thumb drive! Thanks for the tip, that will save a lot of time!
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